Diffidence definitions Webster's 1828 Dictionary DIFFIDENCE, n. [L., to trust. See Faith.] 1. Distrust; want of ... disposition of others. It is said there was a general diffidence of the strength and resources of the nation, and of ... doubt respecting some personal qualification. We speak or write with diffidence, when we doubt our ability to speak or write correctly or to the satisfaction of others. The effect of diffidence is some degree of reserve, modesty, timidity or bashfulness. Hence ... bashfulness; as, he addressed the audience or the prince with diffidence. WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005) n 1: lack of ...
... young king. --Sir J. Davies. Syn: Lowliness; humbleness; meekness; modesty; diffidence. Usage: Humility, Modesty, Diffidence. Diffidence is a distrust of our powers, combined with a fear ... unconnected with a dread of censure is not usually called diffidence. It may be carried too far, and is not always ... altruism, amenability, back seat, bashfulness, commitment, compliance, consecration, dedication, devotion, diffidence, disinterest, disinterestedness, dovelikeness, gentleness, humbleness, inferiority, juniority, lamblikeness, lowliness, meekness ...
... ness, n. The quality of being bashful. Syn: Bashfulness, Modesty, Diffidence, Shyness. Usage: Modesty arises from a low estimate of ourselves ... agitation of the spirits at coming into contact with others; diffidence is produced by an undue degree of self-distrust; shyness ... at all; bashfulness often gives rise to mistakes and blundering; diffidence is society frequently makes a man a burden to himself ... Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms n. Shyness, timidity, coyness, diffidence, self-distrust, excessive modesty.
... young king. --Sir J. Davies. Syn: Lowliness; humbleness; meekness; modesty; diffidence. Usage: Humility, Modesty, Diffidence. Diffidence is a distrust of our powers, combined with a fear ... unconnected with a dread of censure is not usually called diffidence. It may be carried too far, and is not always ...
... in young and inexperienced persons, is allied to bashfulness and diffidence. In persons who have seen the world, and lost their ... by women over the bosom. [Obs.] --Addison. Syn: Bashfulness; humility; diffidence; shyness. See Bashfulness, and Humility. Collin's Cobuild Dictionary 1 ... coolness, decency, decorousness, decorum, dedication, delicacy, demur, demurral, detachment, devotion, diffidence, discreetness, discretion, disinterest, disinterestedness, distance, dullness, elegance, expressionlessness, fairishness, falter ...
... shy, lacking self-confidence. 2 excessively modest and reticent. Derivatives: diffidence n. diffidently adv. Etymology: L diffidere (as DIS-, fidere trust ... noticed by other people. Helen was diffident and reserved. ADJ • diffidence He entered the room with a certain diffidence. N-UNCOUNT • diffidently 'Would you,' he asked diffidently, 'like to ...
... in our team"; "confidence is always borrowed, never owned" [ant: diffidence, self-distrust, self- doubt] 3: a state of confident hopefulness ... a manner marked by easy coolness and freedom from uncertainty, diffidence, or embarrassment. confidence stresses faith in oneself and one's ...
... to soften savage natures. The heart is softened by pity. Diffidence concilliates the proud, and softens the severe. 3. To make ... Gay. (b) To mollify; to make less fierce or intractable. Diffidence conciliates the proud, and softens the severe. --Rambler. (c) To ...
... or face, from a sense of guilt, shame, confusion, modesty, diffidence or surprise; followed by at or for, before the cause ... excited by confusion, which may spring from shame, guilt, modesty, diffidence or surprise. The rosy blush of love. 1. A red ...